Yema Yachtingraf was on my list for years. When the opportunity came to snap an untouched piece into the original box, I couldn’t hesitate. For several years then I sat on the article’s ideas list. Now that time has come, let’s take a look.
I don’t think it’s just me. Most collectors I know get excited when the discussion turns into a yacht chronograph. Visually, they are very vivid and they seem to be talking to us. They are colorful, playful, interesting, often with uniquely shaped hands in lace prep timing registers. The regatta timer’s sub-second counter is small and thrust into the background. On the contrary, Minute Counters are often enhanced and offer unique design execution opportunities. That’s why people have led them to call them “big eye” chronographs. And in our vintage column we already cover quite a few yacht chronographs. Don’t forget to check out Seaboard Yacht, Seiko 7A28-7090, Gallet Yachting, Airin Regatta Timer, or Tissot Navigator Yachting.
7th generation
Following Henrik’s research, using his classification, we can identify seven generations of Yemayontilaf. The first generation of the Valjoux 92 movement debuted in 1966, and soon the second execution occurred on the Valjoux 7733 or 7734. The third generation acquired the Valjoux 7734 caliber with date complications. All three generations had small seconds at 9am and an extra-large 30-minute counter at the “standard” 3am.
Things changed a bit in 1969 when Yachtingraf came on board with the first Valjoux 72. The so-called “Yachtingraf Croisère” with a 12-hour counter and an iconic Yemah-only Red Cross within a white subsecond register is rare. The fifth generation returned to the black sub-second register and was equipped with the Valjoux 7736. The last two generations had a large spinning disc under the dial indicating the number countdown.
Second generation under the loop
Beginners’ luck – that’s what we can call my discovery. Before I bought this Yachtingraf about 5 years ago, I hadn’t done any proper research. I didn’t know there were seven versions. I knew that Yoktinraf was different, but I never studied the differences in individual cases or bezels. What I scored was a very rare run with straight lag. For the record, I’m a huge fan of such rugs. Whether it’s a Seiko 62 square or the only Omega Speedmaster I need, it’s what I call “ed white.” According to Henrik, before 2017 there were only three examples of this second-generation Yontiraf. Well, it’s 2025 now, but I don’t think another 12 people will resurface.
My favourite details
The lug is not only straight but also excavated, so changing the spring bar and straps is easy. Some disliked rugs “scratch” the aesthetic, but never bothered me. And they definitely don’t bother me with this watch. This appears to have an original spring bar. If the spring bar is not short and fits nicely on the edge of the lug, it’s a very interesting aesthetic.
Yema Yachtingraf Bezel
I don’t know how many times I’ve encouraged me to buy a watch with my bakelite bezel, but I’m sure I’ve applied the rules of thumb here and did that in about 5-10 articles since I joined the Fratello editorial team in 2019. Its depth and plasticity are so enjoyable that it feels like a different watch. This observation was not related 60 years ago, but it may be useful now as I sport this type of watch in the office rather than in the waves. My bakelite bezel is rather thin and looks much more elegant. Despite being a yacht subregister, this Yema Yachtingraf is a true under the cuffs contract.
The best part
Now there’s an interesting part. Drill into the six-color triangles of the yacht timer. There, each is divided into five minute slots, two of which are numbered. Why do one timer have two independent 5 minute countdowns? I admit it’s a bit confusing. And that was the moment we went looking for a patent application. There were two related applications. Both the Swiss applications from June 1966 and the Americans from March 1967 signed “HL Blum.”
Illustration of a US patent application
How it works
It seems there are not one countdown, but two. Citing the patent application, “The use of either zone 11 or 12 can be equally affected thanks to both heads or ends of hands 13. The two heads 14 and 15, each with different shapes, refer to zones 11 and 12, respectively. In two cases, representing the last five minutes before departure.”
Image: RC, alias Jerry (Le Crab Iema)
Simply put, the right half shows the timing of the regatta event with a 10-minute preparation for the start, while the left is a 15-minute preparation for the race. In the first case, we focus on the small hand’s eyes, while in the second case, we focus on that needle-like point. It brings us into another mystery: what is the correct orientation when setting up this hand? Should I look at the top or bottom? Both are correct. The owner was able to decide which option he liked and adjust it according to his preferences. Henrik doesn’t pay much attention to the functionality of the subdials, but there’s a nice and interesting read on this topic. According to that source, the 10-minute countdown with a “eye-up” position was designed for the international regatta rules, while the 15-minute countdown with a “eye-up” position was for the US race.
To make things more complicated
More gunshots occurred during the countdown to the start of the race. Reading the patent documents gives you another incredible insight into the utility of watches. To properly use the watch, contestants must hear the first gunshot and start the chronograph. Inevitably, there is always a time before the racer responds, especially when imagining all the conditions on board. However, there is a second gunshot five minutes after the first five minutes, signaling the last five minutes before departure. This is when the bezel works. At the moment of the second shot, you can rotate and align it with the centre chrono hand. In this way, the bezel triangle indicates the actual zero for the last five minutes of the countdown. amazing!
Do you have a Bakelite-Bezel Big-Eye Regatta timer? If not, now is the time to start looking for your Yema Yachtingraf!
